Symphony in E-flat (A. Reicha)

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|Composition:Title=Symphony in E-flat
|Composition:Title=Symphony in E-flat
|Composition:Score=Conducting Score - Symphony in Eb (A. Reicha).pdf
|Composition:Score=Conducting Score - Symphony in Eb (A. Reicha).pdf
|Composition:Description=composed in Bonn, c. 1790–1793
|Composition:Description=composed in Bonn, c. 1790–91


for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two trumpets, two horns, timpani, and strings
'''Instrumentation:''' flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two trumpets, two horns, timpani, and strings


While in Bonn, where he lived between 1785 and 1794, Anton Reicha composed a considerable number of works for large orchestra, including at least four symphonies and six overtures. Stylistically, they run the gamut between Mozartean elegance and movements of astounding precocity and radicality. The Symphony in E-Flat Major is in many respects the most forward-looking of these early four. As with the rest of his Bonn orchestral music, he works on a broad canvas, fashioning a work that in its entirety lasts over half an hour. It is possible that his overall design, including the choice of C minor for the third movement, was influenced by his uncle Josef’s symphony in the same key. The second movement begins as a true funeral march in the most extravagant contemporary French style whose second half, quite unconventionally, departs into a very different character. The fiery third movement is a “Menuetto” in name only: its rapid tempo and minor-key fury show all the hallmarks of the Beethovenian scherzo, here made all the more interesting for being contemporaneous with Beethoven’s own first essays in the style.
Of the four symphonies Reicha wrote in Bonn, the Symphony in E-Flat Major is in many respects the most forward-looking. As with the rest of his Bonn orchestral music, he works on a broad canvas, fashioning a work that in its entirety lasts over half an hour. It is possible that his overall design, including the choice of C minor for the third movement, was influenced by his uncle [[Josef Reicha|Josef’s]] [[Symphony_in_E-flat_(J._Reicha)| symphony in the same key]]. The second movement begins as a true funeral march in the most extravagant contemporary French style whose second half, quite unconventionally, departs into a very different character. The fiery third movement is a “Menuetto” in name only: its rapid tempo and minor-key fury show all the hallmarks of the Beethovenian scherzo, here made all the more interesting for being contemporaneous with Beethoven’s own first essays in the style.<br>
<br>


==Structure==
== Sources ==
# Mentioned in [[A-Wst, H.I.N.-118544 (Anton Reicha to Artaria & Co.)|Reicha's letter to Artaria from October 1797.]]
# Autograph Score, Bibliothèque nationale de France (F-Pn), MS-9153
::*[[F-Pn,_MS-9153_(A._Reicha,_Symphony_in_E-flat)|Analysis]]
::*[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b52514628q Scan at Gallica]
 
==Overview==
=== I. Allegro===  
=== I. Allegro===  
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb – I.png|500px|thumb|left]]<br>
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb – I.png|500px|frameless|thumb]]<br>
*E-flat major<br>
*E-flat major<br>
*400 measures<br>
*400 measures<br>
<br>


=== II. Largo===
=== II. Largo===
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - II.png|500px|thumb|left]]<br>
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - II.png|500px|frameless|thumb]]<br>
*G minor – E-flat major<br>
*G minor – E-flat major<br>
*55 measures<br>
*55 measures<br>
 
<br>


=== III. Menuetto molto vivace – Trio===
=== III. Menuetto molto vivace – Trio===
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - III.1.png|500px|thumb|left]]
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - III.png|1000px|frameless|thumb]]<br>
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - III.2.png|500px|thumb|left]]<br>
*C minor – E-flat major<br>
*C minor – E-flat major<br>
*86 measures<br>
*86 measures<br>
<br>


=== IV. Finale. Allegro molto vivace===
=== IV. Finale. Allegro molto vivace===
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - IV.png|500px|thumb|left]]<br>
[[File:A. Reicha Symphony in Eb - IV.png|500px|frameless|thumb]]<br>
*E-flat major<br>
*E-flat major<br>
*510 measures<br>
*510 measures<br>
<br>


== External Links ==
* [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b52514628q Autograph Score in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS-9153]
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 11:21, 13 August 2024

composed in Bonn, c. 1790–91

Instrumentation: flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two trumpets, two horns, timpani, and strings

Of the four symphonies Reicha wrote in Bonn, the Symphony in E-Flat Major is in many respects the most forward-looking. As with the rest of his Bonn orchestral music, he works on a broad canvas, fashioning a work that in its entirety lasts over half an hour. It is possible that his overall design, including the choice of C minor for the third movement, was influenced by his uncle Josef’s symphony in the same key. The second movement begins as a true funeral march in the most extravagant contemporary French style whose second half, quite unconventionally, departs into a very different character. The fiery third movement is a “Menuetto” in name only: its rapid tempo and minor-key fury show all the hallmarks of the Beethovenian scherzo, here made all the more interesting for being contemporaneous with Beethoven’s own first essays in the style.

Sources

  1. Mentioned in Reicha's letter to Artaria from October 1797.
  2. Autograph Score, Bibliothèque nationale de France (F-Pn), MS-9153

Overview

I. Allegro

thumb

  • E-flat major
  • 400 measures


II. Largo

thumb

  • G minor – E-flat major
  • 55 measures


III. Menuetto molto vivace – Trio

thumb

  • C minor – E-flat major
  • 86 measures


IV. Finale. Allegro molto vivace

thumb

  • E-flat major
  • 510 measures



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